Do you work in a full time job? (poll)

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I realize there is a significant range of different peoples' autism. But I was wondering how many people work full time in some occupation?

I've been working full-time for the past 34 years. I'm fortunate that my Asperger's hasn't gotten me fired.

It almost happened a few times.

I can certainly relate to that!! Granted though - as I got more experienced and more skilled in my profession and a little better at my social skills - almost getting fired happened significantly less.

LOL....I haven't almost gotten fired since 1991!

Last time I got fired was 1996.

I have been fired 4 times I use to really believe I would never hold down a job.

18 years without getting fired--that's pretty good.

That is why I like to give some people here a helping push.

I understand we are all different on the spectrum and some may never be able to hold down a job but I use to think that about myself.

I was on holiday last week and towards the end I sank into a depression.

Work really is my life.

I only out and out got fire once and that was in 1983 - but I came very close a few other times. Each time it happened - I'm sure because I appeared nervous and jittery and unsure of myself. The last time I "almost got fired" was at this time of the year back in 1992 - 28 years ago.

I think if a person with an Autism syndrome condition or any person who might tend to appear nervous, difficult, uncertain of themselves or jittery wants to stay in good standing in their occupation - they do need to make sure that they don't just do as much as everyone else - they need to do twice as much as everyone else - so that if some as*hole tries to make problems for you because they think you are weird - even they will have to admit that you work hard and do a good job.

That's exactly what happened with me.

I'm universally thought of as being "weird" in the office, but my work is superior. They depend upon me considerably.

I've also carved a niche for myself by the use of my "court jester" personality.

It's true: sometimes people do need a "push.' They could fall into the trap-cycle which would result in firings.

It's like they "know" they will fail, so they fail.

I've had more than 50 jobs and been fired from at least 10

In my last job I worked mainly alone so this made things easier and I managed to hold this job for 5 years, a record for me I left this job 2 weeks ago as the boss made my life impossible. I'm looking for other work and had a couple of interviews for jobs I feel I can cope with but no offers yet.

I voted 'not working right now and unsure about foreseeable future' but that's not so much to do with my Asperger's but more to do with my POTS.

I think I could do a sit-down job, but in this economy that'll be hard to find.

have never worked and will always be unable to work, there arent specialist sheltered jobs here anymore.

But at least you have your swimming and your animals.

And WrongPlanet.

Other than little side jobs, I am not working now because of my health. Before that I always worked. I went through the humiliation of being let go from a number of minimum wage jobs. I wasn't late or insubordinate. It was because I couldn't even put together a whopper for Burger King together in a timely manner.

As I got older I finally got the basics down but it was not until about five years of being let go from so many jobs.

Over the past 20 years or so, I was self employed. I had a licensed day care in my home among others. Somehow, the universe always brought creatively wired children and I developed a reputation as "the miracle worker." We had an enormous amount of fun.

There is something I would like to share though. When my first husband was diagnosed with terminal leukemia 24 years ago we had what we were told was a "miracle drug" that was illegal in the U.S. smuggled in. It was very expensive, very covert. For three and a half years I worked 3 jobs, 80 to 90 hours a week. During those three and a half years ai had 2 days off when I did not work any jobs. One was a Thanksgiving. The other was a Christmas. I just did it because that is what I thought would save Larrys life.

I did not know that I was Autistic. I did always know that I was different. I attributed my "Wonder Woman" abilities[ still cooked, cleaned, spent time with kids] to my differentness. I believed, and still do, that the same weirdness that had made so many simple things in my life so difficult, even impossible, was the same thing that kept me going on automatic for those years. I never felt sorry for myself for not having a life. I felt that this was my life, what I was supposed to be doing at the time, so I did it.

My executive skills suck. I am always tired ]pre cancer too] and I complain and throw pity parties now and then. As I recall,during those yearsI never did any of that. My point is, as Autistics,though sometimes the simplest tasks seem impossible, that we are the best at the "impossible" ones.

Last edited by vickygleitz on 06 Aug 2014, 11:27 am, edited 1 time in total.

Been working fulltime for 25 years as an engineer. Changed employers a few times - never been fired. I consider myself fortunate.

I work part time but my salary is pretty much as if i work fulltime on regular workingday times because i mostly work at night.